Dannevirke: 'Amazing support' after tragedy

Jocelyn Goodwin

It has been a "week from hell" for the Dannevirke family of Jocelyn Goodwin, the cyclist killed in an crash between her and a milk tanker in Palmerston North on April 6.

"Life changes in a blink of an eye," Nancy Wadsworth, Mrs Goodwin's mother-in-law told the Dannevirke News. "A link in our family has gone, but the support from the people of Dannevirke has been amazing."

Jocelyn, 51, deputy principal of Hokowhitu School in Palmerston North, was married to Nancy and Frank Wadsworth's son, Garry.

"They came to Dannevirke in 1984 and were here until 1991 and Jocelyn taught at Hillcrest School and later at Norsewood," Mrs Wadsworth said.

"One of the comments made by a former Dannevirke pupil was 'what an awesome teacher'."

Jocelyn and Garry were very much involved in the Dannevirke community and Mrs Wadsworth said the family were touched by the number of locals who attended Jocelyn's funeral in Palmerston North last Friday.

"A lot has been written about her as a cyclist, but Garry said that as a person Jocelyn was defined as a teacher," Mrs Wadsworth said.

In 2005, Jocelyn completed her Masters degree with first-class honours. "She was dedicated and teaching was her life," Mrs Wadsworth said.

While in Dannevirke the couple were involved with tennis and squash and Mrs Wadsworth said they were part of a really good group of friends.

"Speakers at Jocelyn's funeral reflected on her special gift as a teacher and the difference she'd made in the lives of those she'd taught," she said. "Her two children, Conor, 22, and Renee, 20, are following in their mother's footsteps and are both at university."

Mr Wadsworth said he didn't want the death of his wife of 27 years to be another chapter in the war between motorists and cyclists. "I feel really terrible for the truck driver," he said.

Jocelyn was also the sister-in-law and aunty of Moira, Stephen, Pokere, Reihana and Rakai Paewai of Dannevirke.